Blackwater Files Lawsuit Against City of San Diego

Audio

Aired 4/19/09

It looks like the dispute over whether
Blackwater Worldwide
can open a Navy training facility in Otay Mesa is headed for a court fight. Blackwater accused city leaders of trying to curry favor with activists. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.

Blackwater has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of San Diego. The private contractor wants a judge to force the city to restore its occupancy permit. City officials had issued the permit but took it back after city attorney Mike Aguirre said the project needed further review. Blackwater's Brian Bonfiglio said the company had no other choice.

Bonfiglio: And it was the required next step in getting our occupancy permit issued, it already had been issued and approved once so we didn't have any recourse."

But City Attorney Aguirre says Blackwater could have waited for the deeper review.

Aguirre: It’s not really something that in my judgment is a appropriately before a federal court.